James Cameron’s Next Two Movies Will Be ‘Avatar 2 And 3;’ Release Dates Announced
By Germain Lussier/Oct. 27, 2010 8:49 am EST
This is Cameron’s quote on the deal getting done.
Avatar is not only the highest grossing movie of all time, it created a universe based on the singular imagination and daring of James Cameron, who also has raised the consciousness of people worldwide to some of the greatest issues facing our planet. We had no greater priority, and can feel no greater joy, than enabling Jim to continue and expand his vision of the world of Avatar.
Considering Avatar made an incredible $750 million at the United States box office and an even more astounding $2.8 billion worldwide, plus is the best selling Blu-ray of all time (so far), there was little doubt a deal would get made and that it would be very lucrative. Depending on how each film does, five full years of work will surely net Cameron even more than the $350 million he reportedly made from the first film.
It is a rare and remarkable opportunity when a filmmaker gets to build a fantasy world, and watch it grow, with the resources and partnership of a global media company. With two new films on the drawing boards, my company and I are embarking on an epic journey with our partners at 20th Century Fox.
Cameron gave up a precious few details as to what he has planned for the next two movies.
Cameron has previously spoken about what we can expect in the Avatar sequels, including going off Pandora and maybe into the seas, but until he puts pen to paper, nothing is set in stone. It is interesting that he says they’ll be self contained though.
In the second and third films, which will be self-contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of Avatar’s visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world. I’m looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild.
Plus, this schedule should allow Cameron to produce both Fantastic Voyage and At The Mountains of Madness during 2011 before he dives into production.
December 2014 seems pretty far away, though, doesn’t it? Is everyone excited or do you feel like we will have forgotten about Avatar five years after the release of the first film?
Update: Here is the official press release:JAMES CAMERON’S NEXT FILMS ARE AVATAR 2 & 3
Oscar®-winning Filmmaker to Follow his History-Making and Revolutionary Motion Picture Event with Two Films that Continue the Mythology of the World He Created
Cameron, who had always viewedAVATAR as the creation of a new world and mythology, will begin work on the scripts early next year with an eye towards commencing production later in 2011. Cameron will decide if he will shoot the films back-to-back after he completes the scripts, but the release of the first, as yet untitled sequel, is targeted for December 2014, with the third film contemplated for a December 2015 release.
AVATAR 2 & 3 will be produced by Cameron and Jon Landau for Cameron’s Lightstorm Entertainment.
Commented Cameron: “It is a rare and remarkable opportunity when a filmmaker gets to build a fantasy world, and watch it grow, with the resources and partnership of a global media company. AVATAR was conceived as an epic work of fantasy – a world that audiences could visit, across all media platforms, and this moment marks the launch of the next phase of that world. With two new films on the drawing boards, my company and I are embarking on an epic journey with our partners at Twentieth Century Fox. Our goal is to meet and exceed the global audience’s expectations for the richness ofAVATAR’s visual world and the power of the storytelling. In the second and third films, which will be self contained stories that also fulfill a greater story arc, we will not back off the throttle of AVATAR’s visual and emotional horsepower, and will continue to explore its themes and characters, which touched the hearts of audiences in all cultures around the world. I’m looking forward to returning to Pandora, a world where our imaginations can run wild.”
AVATAR is the highest grossing film of all time, taking in nearly $2.8 billion in worldwide box office. It is also the top-selling Blu-ray disc of all time. AVATARwon Golden Globe® awards for Best Motion Picture and Best Director; and was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director, and won Oscars for art direction, visual effects and cinematography.
In AVATAR, Cameron takes audiences to a spectacular world beyond imagination and limitations, where a reluctant hero embarks on a journey of redemption and discovery as he leads a heroic battle to save a civilization.
AVATAR was written by Cameron from an idea he nurtured for over a decade, while working on the technology necessary to realize its wholly imagined world. Working with Joe Letteri and his team at Peter Jackson’s WETA Digital, Cameron created a fully immersive 3D cinematic experience of a new kind, where revolutionary technology that was invented to make the film disappeared into the emotion of the characters and the epic nature of the story.
Lightstorm partner Rae Sanchini negotiated the deal on Lightstorm’s behalf.
